Effects of vitamins C and E on cytotoxicity induced by N-nitroso compounds, N-nitrosomorpholine and N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Caco-2 and V79 cell lines.

Since N-nitroso compounds as strong carcinogens are closely related to food and nutrition, the cytotoxic effects of N-nitrosomorpholine (NMOR) and N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and their reduction by vitamins C and E were investigated in hamster V79 cells and human colon carcinoma Caco-2 cells. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by the trypan blue exclusion technique in Caco-2 cells and by the plating efficiency assay in V79 cells. NMOR caused a dose-dependent decline of viable cells in both cell lines; MNNG induced a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect only in V79 cells. Pretreatment of cells with vitamin C and vitamin E significantly reduced the cytotoxicity of NMOR, however, both vitamins had not effect on cytotoxicity induced by MNNG. These results suggest that different N-nitroso compounds react differently with cellular macromolecules. Measurement of the level of NMOR-induced DNA strand breaks and alkali-labile sites in both cell types using the alkaline comet assay also indicates a protective effect of both vitamins against the genotoxic effects of NMOR.